The No Health Care Act is Heartless

Last week the Senate finally released their version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA). It really should be called the American NO Health Care Act since it would leave millions of Americans without healthcare coverage or with ridiculously restrictive healthcare. The act would also lead to enormous cuts in Medicaid funding, the program that covers low income families and seniors.

The act would create a block grant for each state, rather than an open ended program. Right now, each state gets a certain amount of federal funding for each person on Medicaid in their state. Under the No Health Care Act, Tennessee might get a $10 million block grant every year. But if the state’s costs exceed $10 million, then they will have to make up the difference. Essentially, the federal government is passing on the expenses to the states.

Republicans claim that people will pay less in premiums under their plan. While this is potentially true, what they aren’t saying is that those plans will cover less and have higher copays and other out of pocket expenses. Insurance companies will once again be able to charge more and reinstate annual and lifetime coverage caps. One major illness or injury could make you uninsurable for the rest of your life!

No Heart

And once again, women are being penalized for being women. As with the House version of the No Health Care Act, the Senate version allows insurers to refuse to cover such things as maternity care and contraception, while also banning federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Thirteen men wrote the Senate version of this bill and apparently they cannot understand the need for these services. But no doubt Viagra is still covered, probably without a copay.

However, there is good news! That is, if you are a wealthy American, an insurance company or a medical device maker–because you will be receiving a big tax cut! Their tax profits are estimated to be about $663 billion over the next decade. And ironically, Trump says he wants to see a bill with “heart.”

At a time when it seems that the GOP can’t get any more heartless, along comes video footage of capitol police handcuffing and carrying disabled protesters out of Mitch McConnell’s office. People with legitimate concerns about the No Health Care Act and their futures were removed from a Congressional office. When did it become okay for members of Congress to hide from their constituents? To have them removed from their offices? To ignore their voices and make cold and cruel decisions that only help their wealthy friends?

Take Action

It’s crunch time! Even though the GOP has a majority in the Senate, it can only lose two Republican votes and still pass. It is more critical now than ever before to make our voices heard! Call your senators and tell them that you oppose the American Health Care Act. The following Republican senators have already either opposed the American Health Care Act or expressed grave concerns. If they are your Senator it is especially important that you call!

Ty Starks Morgan is an attorney who has worked in the foster care system for 24 years. She is the mother of two teen sons, two dogs, three cats, and a plethora of rescued foster animals.

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